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10/19/16

Gabrielle Union Lights Up 'Essence'

Actress Gabrielle Union, who currently stars in 'The Birth of a Nation' and will next be seen in 'Almost Christmas', glows on the November issue of Essence magazine, where she sounds off on the Nate Parker controversy, raising black boys and fighting for a seat at the table.

On 'The Birth of a Nation' Controversy:
"The sole reason I took the movie was so I could talk about how sexual violence has historically been used as a weapon of mass destruction. Used against women and families since the dawn of time, and how we are still faced with this , the voicelessness, the powerlessness. As a rape survivor and as an advocate, I cannot shy away from this responsibility because the conversation got difficult. I don't want to put myself above anyone's pain or triggers. Every victim or survivor, I believe you. I support you. I support you if you don't want to see the film. I absolutely understand and respect that. I can't sell the film."

On Raising Black Boys In America:
"Until they walk through the door, I'm terrified. Sometimes I just want to stay off my timeline because it makes those waits until they walk through the door a thousand times worse. Just envisioning them as a hashtag."

On Fighting For A Seat At The Producer's Table:
"I don’t just want to be a hired gun. I want to have a little bit more control over the narrative. The only way I can be empowered to do that is to be a producer. Now with as many projects that will have me, it’s part of the deal."

Peep her stunning cover below and pick up the November issue, available now on newsstands.